Serenity in Sanibel: Weekend Update

Pardon the late post - we just got back from our final labor and delivery class at the hospital. Talk about things feeling "real." I know these classes aren't for everyone, but I personally enjoyed them, and I think my husband did, too. More on those later.

This past weekend, we went down to Sanibel, Florida to watch two of our closest friends get married. Bryan was the best man, and the groom was the best man in our wedding. We weren't sure if I was going to be able to make the trip, given that I'm 34 weeks pregnant and technically, not supposed to be traveling. But as we got closer and I am still feeling pretty good, I decided I couldn't miss it.

We arrived late on Thursday night and just took it easy at the hotel. Friday morning, we drove onto the island and grabbed some breakfast before heading to the resort where everyone stayed. We spent the afternoon by the pool while we waited for our room to get ready. Before we knew it, it was time to get ready for the night's events.

After the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, which was limited to the wedding party and significant others, there was a welcome reception for all of the other guests. They had an impressive turnout at the wedding - 170 people! For a destination wedding, that's pretty insane. The welcome reception had live music, open bar and appetizers. Definitely a fun way to get all of the guests together and getting to know each other before the weekend celebrations.

Saturday morning, Bryan and I got up early and went for a walk into town to grab some breakfast and coffee. When we got back, Bryan had to go meet the guys to get ready, have lunch and watch the Iowa game, while I spent a few hours relaxing by the pool with the ladies. Are you seeing a theme for this vacation?

Unfortunately, by the time the wedding ceremony rolled around, bad weather rolled in and they had to move the wedding from the beach into the tent. Everything was still gorgeous - I'd say the only downfall was that it was H-O-T and humid inside that tent. Oh well though - the ceremony was beautiful and didn't last long.

I must say, this was one of the most fun receptions I've been to. It probably would have been even more fun if I could drink with the rest of the group.

But the food and drinks were amazing - we had a "beachy" salad, followed by filet mignon AND lobster tail, and wedding cake, of course. The best part of the whole thing was the live band. Any time you're at a wedding with a live band, you're guaranteed a good time, at least in my opinion.

ALL of the guests were on the dance floor the entire night, INCLUDING me. I paid for it the next day with back, feet and belly aches, but it was all worth it. To top it off, my hubby rocked his best man speech, which is no surprise. (To me anyway.)

The reception ended at 10pm because there are strict rules in Florida about lights and sea turtles, so we moved to the after party inside the resort lodge. We were greeted with a DJ, dessert table and MORE food - pizza, chips and sliders. By this point, everyone was pretty well intoxicated, so my conversations started taking a turn for the annoying.

I had a great time fucking with drunk people. For example, someone would ask if I was pregnant and I'd respond that I wasn't pregnant or tell them that I actually just had a baby. After seeing that they were sufficiently humiliated, I'd tell them I was fucking with them. It was kind of amazing. My husband thinks I'm mean for it, but I don't feel guilty in the slightest. We called it a night around midnight, and went back to our room to eat leftover pizza and catch some ZZZs.

Sunday morning came quickly and we had to rise and shine to get packed and to the airport, but not before ANOTHER celebration for the newlyweds - Brunch! My favorite.

And that, my friends, was the last official trip that my hubby and I take before we are a family of three! It was an amazing weekend, such a great mix of relaxing and celebrating with some of our closest friends, and I am so happy to have made it.